4 Surprising Easy Ways to Make Your Dog Healthier Today

A healthy dog can make a happy human. There are many theories and advice out there that can help you lead your dog on the path of wellness and this article is no different. I will tell you only four surprising easy ways to make your dog healthier today or as soon as you can in the hopes of leading you down the right path. But, please keep in mind that I am not a vet and you may want to double check with your vet before you make changes to your dog’s lifestyle especial when it comes to food and supplements.

1. Good Food

Food is the first item since it is the most important and there are many different types of meals for different breeds of dogs so it would be a good idea to ask your vet on what to feed your dog and how much to feed them. Some dogs will only eat as much as they need while other dogs may go overboard which can cause them to gain weight (this is when asking your vet how much to give them can come in handy because you will be in control of their diet). Another thing that you should look out for is food sensitivity or intolerance which can be manifested by your dog not eating the food, or diarrhea, vomiting, and skin issues. When food shopping has a read of the ingredients and avoid some items such as:

Corn Syrup

BHT/ BHA

Animal By-Products

Ethoxyquin

Propylene Glycol

Because these are some of the common filler ingredients which can cause more harm than good to your dog.

There are also some more usual ingredients to add to your dog’s diet that could help them in the long run (but only if your vet approves):

Small amounts of coconut oil. Adding a teaspoon to your pet’s meal or adding this oil to their homemade treats could be able to improve their digestion system, freshen their breath and even sooth their skin.

Dogs are able to eat certain types of vegetables such as carrots for their Potassium and Vitamin A or sweet potatoes for Vitamin C and fiber. However, they cannot eat onions, grapes and some other types of food.

Fish oil for dog’s food. This can be added to dry food or kibble since it is filled with Omega-3 fatty acid to help with your dog’s heart, joints, fur and nails.

There are also supplements to help with old dog’s joints pain.

Plus, it is better to use a stainless steel food bowl for your dog’s meals.

2. Grooming

Dogs get dirty even those that do not look like it. It is important to be able to wash your dog about once or twice a month (depending on the breed as well as how often they get messy). In doing this you can check for fleas, ticks and how their skin is holding up. If there are problems that you notice you could be able to sort them out as soon as they arise before they get worse and more painful. Taking your dog to the groomers for them to have a good clean or a hair cut (if the weather is too hot so that they do not overheat if they have long hair) can be a good idea to make sure that the job gets well-done. You could also ask them what type of shampoo to use as well as how to wash them and how often to do so. Brushing their fur is also a good way to check on their skin and to make sure that their hair is shiny and not batched together to the point of becoming matted.

3. Nails and Ears

Another aspect of grooming is nail cutting. Only do this if you know how to since if you do not you accidentally may cut the ‘quick’ which is where nerve ending and blood vessels are in the nails. A groomer can show you how to cut your dog’s nails correctly and they can tell you how often to do so. Inside dogs can have their nails cut more often than outside dogs since the wear and tear of the outside surfaces naturally can cut nails. Nails can grow long and curve in towards the paw which can cause them a lot of pain and make it difficult for them to walk.

Ears are also something that needs attention and to be checked on often as possible because plant matter could make their way into their ears or general discharge. This could mean that your dog has an ear infection. You can clean your floppy-eared dog daily using a solution designed for cleaning their ears with a cotton ball that you gently wipe out the dog’s ear. If there is blood or too much discharge, take them to a vet to see what it could be and what to do.

4. Exercise

Exercise is good for the soul and it can keep your dog as well as yourself fit. However, it can also get boring and repetitive so try to spice it up by taking them to other parts of the dog park or the streets in order for them to experience different sights, sounds, and smells. You can also try to play different types of games with them such as Frisbee or even doggie soccer. Exercise is a great way for your dogs to meet other dogs for social interaction. But, do not forget to keep their collar on them just in case you need to use a lost dog finder if they run off. They can help you find your lost dog.

These four things should be easy to do and your dog will love you even more for doing them. But remember to check with your vet before you doing any changes to their diet, just to be even more on the safe side.

Hello, fellow dog lovers! I am Josh Cobbe, the admin of petdogplanet.com, a full-time professional writer, usually, post a guest post on the other pet related blogs to share my experience & some interesting stories subject to the pet.